REVENUE

Section 23

Revenue

Scope of this section

23. 1 This section shall be applied in accounting for revenue arising from the following transactions and events:
    1. the sale of goods (whether produced by the entity for the purpose of sale or purchased for resale);
    2. the rendering of services;
    3. construction contracts in which the entity is the contractor; and
    4. the use by others of entity assets yielding interest, royalties or dividends.

23. 2 Revenue or other income arising from some transactions and events is dealt with in other sections of this Standard:
    1. lease agreements (see Section 20 Leases);
    2. dividends and other income arising from investments that are accounted for using the equity method (see Section 14 Investments in Associates and Section 15 Investments in Joint Ventures);
    3. changes in the fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities or their disposal (see Section 11 Basic Financial Instruments and Section 12 Other Financial Instrument Issues);
    4. changes in the fair value of investment property (see Section 16 Investment Property);
    5. initial recognition and changes in the fair value of biological assets related to agricultural activity (see Section 34 Specialised Activities); and
    6. initial recognition of agricultural produce (see Section 34).

Measurement of revenue

23. 3 An entity shall measure revenue at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable. The fair value of the consideration received or receivable takes into account the amount of any trade discounts, prompt settlement discounts and volume rebates allowed by the entity.

23. 4 An entity shall include in revenue only the gross inflows of economic benefits received and receivable by the entity on its own account. An entity shall exclude from revenue all amounts collected on behalf of third parties such as sales taxes, goods and services taxes and value added taxes. In an agency relationship, an entity (the agent) shall include in revenue only the amount of its commission. The amounts collected on behalf of the principal are not revenue of the entity.

Deferred payment

23. 5 When the inflow of cash or cash equivalents is deferred, and the arrangement constitutes in effect a financing transaction, the fair value of the consideration is the present value of all future receipts determined using an imputed rate ofinterest. A financing transaction arises when, for example, an entity provides interest-free credit to the buyer or accepts a note receivable bearing a below-market interest rate from the buyer as consideration for the sale of goods. The imputed rate of interest is the more clearly determinable of either:
    1. the prevailing rate for a similar instrument of an issuer with a similar credit rating; or
    2. a rate of interest that discounts the nominal amount of the instrument to the current cash sales price of the goods or services.

An entity shall recognise the difference between the present value of all future receipts and the nominal amount of the consideration as interest revenue in accordance with paragraphs 23.28 and 23.29 and Section 11.

Exchanges of goods or services

23. 6 An entity shall not recognise revenue:
    1. when goods or services are exchanged for goods or services that are of a similar nature and value; or
    2. when goods or services are exchanged for dissimilar goods or services but the transaction2 lacks commercial substance.

23. 7 An entity shall recognise revenue when goods are sold or services are exchanged for dissimilar goods or services in a transaction that has commercial substance. In that case, the entity shall measure the transaction:
    1. at the fair value of the goods or services received adjusted by the amount of any cash or cash equivalents transferred;
    2. if the amount under (a) cannot be measured reliably, then at the fair value of the goods or services given up adjusted by the amount of any cash or cash equivalents transferred; or
    3. if the fair value of neither the goods or services received nor the goods or services given up can be measured reliably, then at the carrying amount of the goods or services given up adjusted by the amount of any cash or cash equivalents transferred.

Identification of the revenue transaction

23. 8 An entity usually applies the revenue recognition criteria in this section separately to each transaction. However, an entity applies the recognition criteria to the separately identifiable components of a single transaction when necessary to reflect the substance of the transaction. For example, an entity applies the recognition criteria to the separately identifiable components of a single transaction when the selling price of a product includes an identifiable amount for subsequent servicing. Conversely, an entity applies the recognition criteria to two or more transactions together when they are linked in such a way that the commercial effect cannot be understood without reference to the series of transactions as a whole. For example, an entity applies the recognition criteria to two or more transactions together when it sells goods and, at the same time, enters into a separate agreement to repurchase the goods at a later date, thus negating the substantive effect of the transaction.

23. 9 Sometimes, as part of a sales transaction, an entity grants its customer a loyalty award that the customer may redeem in the future for free or discounted goods or services. In this case, in accordance with paragraph 23.8, the entity shall account for the award credits as a separately identifiable component of the initial sales transaction. The entity shall allocate the fair value of the consideration received or receivable in respect of the initial sale between the award credits and the other components of the sale. The consideration allocated to the award credits shall be measured by reference to their fair value, ie the amount for which the award credits could be sold separately.

Sale of goods

23. 10 An entity shall recognise revenue from the sale of goods when all the following conditions are satisfied:
    1. the entity has transferred to the buyer the significant risks and rewards of ownership of the goods;
    2. the entity retains neither continuing managerial involvement to the degree usually associated with ownership nor effective control over the goods sold;
    3. the amount of revenue can be measured reliably;
    4. it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the entity; and
    5. the costs incurred or to be incurred in respect of the transaction can be measured reliably.

13. 11 The assessment of when an entity has transferred the significant risks and rewards of ownership to the buyer requires an examination of the circumstances of the transaction. In most cases, the transfer of the risks and rewards of ownership coincides with the transfer of the legal title or the passing of possession to the buyer. This is the case for most retail sales. In other cases, the transfer of risks and rewards of ownership occurs at a time different from the transfer of legal title or the passing of possession.

23. 12 An entity does not recognise revenue if it retains significant risks and rewards of ownership. Examples of situations in which the entity may retain the significant risks and rewards of ownership are:
    1. when the entity retains an obligation for unsatisfactory performance not covered by normal warranties;
    2. when the receipt of the revenue from a particular sale is contingent on the buyer selling the goods;
    3. when the goods are shipped subject to installation and the installation is a significant part of the contract that has not yet been completed; and
    4. when the buyer has the right to rescind the purchase for a reason specified in the sales contract, or at the buyer’s sole discretion without any reason, and the entity is uncertain about the probability of return.

23. 13 If an entity retains only an insignificant risk of ownership, the transaction is a sale and the entity recognises the revenue. For example, a seller recognises revenue when it retains the legal title to the goods solely to protect the collectability of the amount due. Similarly an entity recognises revenue when it offers a refund if the customer finds the goods faulty or is not satisfied for other reasons and the entity can estimate the returns reliably. In such cases, the entity recognises a provision for returns in accordance with Section 21 Provisions and Contingencies.

Rendering of services

23. 14 When the outcome of a transaction involving the rendering of services can be estimated reliably, an entity shall recognise revenue associated with the transaction by reference to the stage of completion of the transaction at the end of the reporting period (sometimes referred to as the percentage of completion method). The outcome of a transaction can be estimated reliably when all the following conditions are satisfied:
    1. the amount of revenue can be measured reliably;
    2. it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the entity;
    3. the stage of completion of the transaction at the end of the reporting period can be measured reliably; and
    4. the costs incurred for the transaction and the costs to complete the transaction can be measured reliably.

Paragraphs 23.21–23.27 provide guidance for applying the percentage of completion method.

23. 15 When services are performed by an indeterminate number of acts over a specified period of time, an entity recognises revenue on a straight-line basis over the specified period unless there is evidence that some other method better represents the stage of completion. When a specific act is much more significant than any other act, the entity postpones recognition of revenue until the significant act is executed.

23. 16 When the outcome of the transaction involving the rendering of services cannot be estimated reliably, an entity shall recognise revenue only to the extent of the expenses recognised that are recoverable.

Construction contracts

23. 17 When the outcome of a construction contract can be estimated reliably, an entity shall recognise contract revenue and contract costs associated with the construction contract as revenue and expenses respectively by reference to the stage of completion of the contract activity at the end of the reporting period

(often referred to as the percentage of completion method). Reliable estimation of the outcome requires reliable estimates of the stage of completion, future costs and collectability of billings. Paragraphs 23.21–23.27 provide guidance for applying the percentage of completion method.

23. 18 The requirements of this section are usually applied separately to each construction contract. However, in some circumstances, it is necessary to apply this section to the separately identifiable components of a single contract or to a group of contracts together in order to reflect the substance of a contract or a group of contracts.

23. 19 When a contract covers a number of assets, the construction of each asset shall be treated as a separate construction contract when:
    1. separate proposals have been submitted for each asset;
    2. each asset has been subject to separate negotiation, and the contractor and customer are able to accept or reject that part of the contract relating to each asset; and
    3. the costs and revenues of each asset can be identified.

23. 20 A group of contracts, whether with a single customer or with several customers, shall be treated as a single construction contract when:
    1. the group of contracts is negotiated as a single package;
    2. the contracts are so closely interrelated that they are, in effect, part of a single project with an overall profit margin; and
    3. the contracts are performed concurrently or in a continuous sequence.

Percentage of completion method

23. 21 This method is used to recognise revenue from rendering services (see paragraphs 23.14–23.16) and from construction contracts (see paragraphs 23.17–23.20). An entity shall review and, when necessary, revise the estimates of revenue and costs as the service transaction or construction contract progresses.

23. 22 An entity shall determine the stage of completion of a transaction or contract using the method that measures most reliably the work performed. Possible methods include:
    1. the proportion that costs incurred for work performed to date bear to the estimated total costs. Costs incurred for work performed to date do not include costs relating to future activity, such as for materials or prepayments.
    2. surveys of work performed.
    3. completion of a physical proportion of the service transaction or contract work.

Progress payments and advances received from customers often do not reflect the work performed.

23. 23 An entity shall recognise costs that relate to future activity on the transaction or contract, such as for materials or prepayments, as an asset if it is probable that the costs will be recovered.

23. 24 An entity shall recognise as an expense immediately any costs whose recovery is not probable.

23. 25 When the outcome of a contract cannot be estimated reliably:
    1. an entity shall recognise revenue only to the extent of contract costs incurred that it is probable will be recoverable; and
    2. the entity shall recognise contract costs as an expense in the period in which they are incurred.

23. 26 When it is probable that total contract costs will exceed total contract revenue on a contract, the expected loss shall be recognised as an expense immediately, with a corresponding provision for an onerous contract (see Section 21).

23. 27 If the collectability of an amount already recognised as contract revenue is no longer probable, the entity shall recognise the uncollectable amount as an expense instead of as an adjustment of the amount of contract revenue.

Interest, royalties and dividends

23. 28 An entity shall recognise revenue arising from the use by others of entity assets yielding interest, royalties and dividends on the bases set out in paragraph 23.29 when:
    1. it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the entity; and
    2. the amount of the revenue can be measured reliably.

23. 29 An entity shall recognise revenue on the following bases:
    1. interest shall be recognised using the effective interest method as described in paragraphs 11.15–11.20;
    2. royalties shall be recognised on an accrual basis in accordance with the substance of the relevant agreement; and
    3. dividends shall be recognised when the shareholder’s right to receive payment is established.

Disclosures

General disclosures about revenue

22. 30 An entity shall disclose:
    1. the accounting policies adopted for the recognition of revenue, including the methods adopted to determine the stage of completion of transactions involving the rendering of services; and
    2. the amount of each category of revenue recognised during the period, showing separately, at a minimum, revenue arising from:
       1. the sale of goods;
       2. the rendering of services;
       3. interest;
       4. royalties;
       5. dividends;
       6. commissions;
       7. government grants; and
       8. any other significant types of revenue.

Disclosures relating to revenue from construction contracts

23. 31 An entity shall disclose the following:
    1. the amount of contract revenue recognised as revenue in the period;
    2. the methods used to determine the contract revenue recognised in the period; and
    3. the methods used to determine the stage of completion of contracts in progress.

23. 32 An entity shall present:
    1. the gross amount due from customers for contract work, as an asset; and
    2. the gross amount due to customers for contract work, as a liability.

Appendix to Section 23

Examples of revenue recognition under the principles in Section 23

This Appendix accompanies, but is not part of, Section 23. It provides guidance for applying the requirements of Section 23 in recognising revenue.

23A.1 The following examples focus on particular aspects of a transaction and are not a comprehensive discussion of all the relevant factors that might influence the recognition of revenue. The examples generally assume that the amount of revenue can be measured reliably; it is probable that the economic benefits will flow to the entity and the costs incurred or to be incurred can be measured reliably.

Sale of goods

23A.2 The law in different countries may cause the recognition criteria in Section 23 to be met at different times. In particular, the law may determine the point in time at which the entity transfers the significant risks and rewards of ownership. Consequently, the examples in this appendix need to be read in the context of the laws relating to the sale of goods in the country in which the transaction takes place.

Example 1 ‘Bill and hold’ sales, in which delivery is delayed at the buyer’s request but the buyer takes title and accepts billing

23A.3 The seller recognises revenue when the buyer takes title, provided:

1. it is probable that delivery will be made;
2. the item is on hand, identified and ready for delivery to the buyer at the time the sale is recognised;
3. the buyer specifically acknowledges the deferred delivery instructions; and
4. the usual payment terms apply.
5. Revenue is not recognised when there is simply an intention to acquire or manufacture the goods in time for delivery.

Example 2 Goods shipped subject to conditions: installation and inspection

23A.4 The seller normally recognises revenue when the buyer accepts delivery, and installation and inspection are complete. However, revenue is recognised immediately upon the buyer’s acceptance of delivery when:

1. the installation process is simple, for example the installation of a factory-tested television receiver that requires only unpacking and connection of power and antennae; or
2. the inspection is performed only for the purposes of final determination of contract prices, for example, shipments of iron ore, sugar or soya beans.

Example 3 Goods shipped subject to conditions: on approval when the buyer has negotiated a limited right of return

23A.5 If there is uncertainty about the possibility of return, the seller recognises revenue when the shipment has been formally accepted by the buyer or the goods have been delivered and the time period for rejection has elapsed.

Example 4 Goods shipped subject to conditions: consignment sales under which the recipient (buyer) undertakes to sell the goods on behalf of the shipper (seller)

23A.6 The shipper recognises revenue when the goods are sold by the recipient to a third party.

Example 5 Goods shipped subject to conditions: cash on delivery sales

23A.7 The seller recognises revenue when delivery is made and cash is received by the seller or its agent.

Example 6 Layaway sales under which the goods are delivered only when the buyer makes the final payment in a series of instalments

23A.8 The seller recognises revenue from such sales when the goods are delivered. However, when experience indicates that most such sales are consummated, revenue may be recognised when a significant deposit is received, provided the goods are on hand, identified and ready for delivery to the buyer.

Example 7 Orders when payment (or partial payment) is received in advance of delivery for goods not currently held in inventory, for example, the goods are still to be manufactured or will be delivered direct to the buyer from a third party

23A.9 The seller recognises revenue when the goods are delivered to the buyer.

Example 8 Sale and repurchase agreements (other than swap transactions) under which the seller concurrently agrees to repurchase the same goods at a later date, or when the seller has a call option to repurchase or the buyer has a put option to require the repurchase, by the seller, of the goods

23A.10 For a sale and repurchase agreement on an asset other than a financial asset, the seller must analyse the terms of the agreement to ascertain whether, in substance, the risks and rewards of ownership have been transferred to the buyer. If they have been transferred, the seller recognises revenue. When the seller has retained the risks and rewards of ownership, even though legal title has been transferred, the transaction is a financing arrangement and does not give rise to revenue. For a sale and repurchase agreement on a financial asset, the derecognition provisions of Section 11 apply.

Example 9 Sales to intermediate parties, such as distributors, dealers or others for resale

23A.11 The seller generally recognises revenue from such sales when the risks and rewards of ownership have been transferred. However, when the buyer is acting, in substance, as an agent, the sale is treated as a consignment sale.

Example 10 Subscriptions to publications and similar items

23A.12 When the items involved are of similar value in each time period, the seller recognises revenue on a straight-line basis over the period in which the items are dispatched. When the items vary in value from period to period, the seller recognises revenue on the basis of the sales value of the item dispatched in relation to the total estimated sales value of all items covered by the subscription.

Example 11 Instalment sales, under which the consideration is receivable in instalments

23A.13 The seller recognises revenue attributable to the sales price, exclusive of interest, at the date of sale. The sale price is the present value of the consideration, determined by discounting the instalments receivable at the imputed rate of interest. The seller recognises the interest element as revenue using the effective interest method.

Example 12 Agreements for the construction of real estate

23A.14 An entity that undertakes the construction of real estate, directly or through subcontractors, and enters into an agreement with one or more buyers before construction is complete, shall account for the agreement as a sale of services, using the percentage of completion method, only if:

1. the buyer is able to specify the major structural elements of the design of the real estate before construction begins and/or specify major structural changes once construction is in progress (whether it exercises that ability or not); or
2. the buyer acquires and supplies construction materials and the entity provides only construction services.

23A.15 If the entity is required to provide services together with construction materials in order to perform its contractual obligation to deliver real estate to the buyer, the agreement shall be accounted for as the sale of goods. In this case, the buyer does not obtain control or the significant risks and rewards of ownership of the work in progress in its current state as construction progresses. Instead, the transfer occurs only on delivery of the completed real estate to the buyer.

Example 13 Sale with customer loyalty award

23A.16 An entity sells product A for CU100. Purchasers of product A get an award credit enabling them to buy product B for CU10. The normal selling price of product B is CU18. The entity estimates that 40 per cent of the purchasers of product A will use their award to buy product B at CU10. The normal selling price of

product A, after taking into account discounts that are usually offered but that are not available during this promotion, is CU95.

23A.17 The fair value of the award credit is 40% × [CU18 – CU10] = CU3.20. The entity allocates the total revenue of CU100 between product A and the award credit by reference to their relative fair values of CU95 and CU3.20 respectively. Consequently:

1. revenue for product A is CU100 × [CU95 ÷ (CU95 + CU3.20)] = CU96.74; and
2. revenue for product B is CU100 × [CU3.20 ÷ (CU95 + CU3.20)] = CU3.26.

Rendering of services

Example 14 Installation fees

23A.18 The seller recognises installation fees as revenue by reference to the stage of completion of the installation, unless they are incidental to the sale of a product, in which case they are recognised when the goods are sold.

Example 15 Servicing fees included in the price of the product

23A.19 When the selling price of a product includes an identifiable amount for subsequent servicing (for example, after sales support and product enhancement on the sale of software), the seller defers that amount and recognises it as revenue over the period during which the service is performed. The amount deferred is that which will cover the expected costs of the services under the agreement, together with a reasonable profit on those services.

Example 16 Advertising commissions

23A.20 Media commissions are recognised when the related advertisement or commercial appears before the public. Production commissions are recognised by reference to the stage of completion of the project.

Example 17 Insurance agency commissions

23A.21 Insurance agency commissions received or receivable that do not require the agent to render further service are recognised as revenue by the agent on the effective commencement or renewal dates of the related policies. However, when it is probable that the agent will be required to render further services during the life of the policy, the agent defers the commission, or part of it, and recognises it as revenue over the period during which the policy is in force.

Example 18 Admission fees

23A.22 The seller recognises revenue from artistic performances, banquets and other special events when the event takes place. When a subscription to a number of events is sold, the seller allocates the fee to each event on a basis that reflects the extent to which services are performed at each event.

Example 19 Tuition fees

23A.23 The seller recognises revenue over the period of instruction.

Example 20 Initiation, entrance and membership fees

23A.24 Revenue recognition depends on the nature of the services provided. If the fee permits only membership, and all other services or products are paid for separately, or if there is a separate annual subscription, the fee is recognised as revenue when no significant uncertainty about its collectability exists. If the fee entitles the member to services or publications to be provided during the membership period, or to purchase goods or services at prices lower than those charged to non-members, it is recognised on a basis that reflects the timing, nature and value of the benefits provided.

Franchise fees

23A.25 Franchise fees may cover the supply of initial and subsequent services, equipment and other tangible assets and know how. Accordingly, franchise fees are recognised as revenue on a basis that reflects the purpose for which the fees were charged. The following methods of franchise fee recognition are appropriate.

Example 21 Franchise fees: Supplies of equipment and other tangible assets

23A.26 The franchisor recognises the fair value of the assets sold as revenue when the items are delivered or title passes.

Example 22 Franchise fees: Supplies of initial and subsequent services

23A.27 The franchisor recognises fees for the provision of continuing services, whether part of the initial fee or a separate fee, as revenue as the services are rendered. When the separate fee does not cover the cost of continuing services together with a reasonable profit, part of the initial fee, sufficient to cover the costs of continuing services and to provide a reasonable profit on those services, is deferred and recognised as revenue as the services are rendered.

23A.28 The franchise agreement may provide for the franchisor to supply equipment, inventories or other tangible assets at a price lower than that charged to others or a price that does not provide a reasonable profit on those sales. In these circumstances, part of the initial fee, sufficient to cover estimated costs in excess of that price and to provide a reasonable profit on those sales, is deferred and recognised over the period the goods are likely to be sold to the franchisee. The balance of an initial fee is recognised as revenue when performance of all the initial services and other obligations required of the franchisor (such as assistance with site selection, staff training, financing and advertising) has been substantially accomplished.

23A.29 The initial services and other obligations under an area franchise agreement may depend on the number of individual outlets established in the area. In this case, the fees attributable to the initial services are recognised as revenue in proportion to the number of outlets for which the initial services have been substantially completed.

23A.30 If the initial fee is collectable over an extended period and there is a significant uncertainty that it will be collected in full, the fee is recognised as cash instalments are received.

Example 23 Franchise fees: Continuing franchise fees

23A.31 Fees charged for the use of continuing rights granted by the agreement, or for other services provided during the period of the agreement, are recognised as revenue as the services are provided or the rights used.

Example 24 Franchise fees: Agency transactions

23A.32 Transactions may take place between the franchisor and the franchisee that, in substance, involve the franchisor acting as agent for the franchisee. For example, the franchisor may order supplies and arrange for their delivery to the franchisee at no profit. Such transactions do not give rise to revenue.

Example 25 Fees from the development of customised software

23A.33 The software developer recognises fees from the development of customised software as revenue by reference to the stage of completion of the development, including completion of services provided for post-delivery service support.

Interest, royalties and dividends

Example 26 Licence fees and royalties

23A.34 The licensor recognises fees and royalties paid for the use of an entity’s assets (such as trademarks, patents, software, music copyright, record masters and motion picture films) in accordance with the substance of the agreement. As a practical matter, this may be on a straight-line basis over the life of the agreement, for example, when a licensee has the right to use specified technology for a specified period of time.

23A.35 An assignment of rights for a fixed fee or non-refundable guarantee under a non-cancellable contract that permits the licensee to exploit those rights freely and the licensor has no remaining obligations to perform is, in substance, a sale. An example is a licensing agreement for the use of software when the licensor has no obligations after delivery. Another example is the granting of rights to exhibit a motion picture film in markets in which the licensor has no control over the distributor and expects to receive no further revenues from the box office receipts. In such cases, revenue is recognised at the time of sale.

23A.36 In some cases, whether or not a licence fee or royalty will be received is contingent on the occurrence of a future event. In such cases, revenue is recognised only when it is probable that the fee or royalty will be received, which is normally when the event has occurred.